Biography

Best known as the Fresh Prince's sound provider, DJ Jazzy Jeff has been in the rap game since the early 1980s, crafting catchy beats and working the decks with a precision that few others can match. Born and raised in Philly, he and Will Smith helped bring hip-hop to the mainstream, with a succession of inoffensive, stick-in-your-head singles such as "Girls Ain't Nothing But Trouble," "Parents Just Don't Understand" and "Summertime." The platinum-selling duo recorded five albums together between 1987 and 1993, receiving numerous awards and remaining popular despite the explosion of gangsta rap. They disbanded after Will Smith's acting career started taking off, though Jeff continued to produce, DJ, and mentor new talent. He started his own production company, A Touch Of Jazz, assembling a crack team of musicians to provide the sonic backdrop for artists ranging from Jill Scott to Michael Jackson. In 2002, Jazzy Jeff released his long-awaited solo debut, The Magnificent, a top-notch LP that featured such guests as J-Live and Freddie Foxxx.